Bottom Line:
Mild irritant reactions and contact sensitization occur secondary to balm and hair oil use. 'Mudichood' represents the comedogenic effect of hair oils combined with occlusion and humidity.Heavy metal and steroid toxicity along with severe cutaneous adverse effects like erythroderma can occur as a consequent to the use of alternative medicines.With increasing globalization and migration, the practice of indigenous customs and traditions is no longer limited to regional territories, making it imperative for the dermatologists to be acquainted with the cutaneous side effects they can cause.

ABSTRACTA wide prevalence of socio-religious and cultural practices in the Asian subcontinent often leads to multitude of skin diseases which may be missed by the dermatologists because of a lack of awareness. 'Henna' use causes IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions and contact dermatitis. 'Kumkum' application can result in pigmented contact dermatitis and lichen planus pigmentosus. Sticker 'bindis' and 'alta' induce contact leukoderma. Irritant and allergic contact dermatitis occurs after playing with 'Holi' colors. Threading and drawstring dermatitis lead to koebnerization of pre-existing dermatoses, infections and even squamous cell carcinoma of skin. Mild irritant reactions and contact sensitization occur secondary to balm and hair oil use. 'Mudichood' represents the comedogenic effect of hair oils combined with occlusion and humidity. Aromatherapy oils can cause contact dermatitis and photosensitive reactions. Heavy metal and steroid toxicity along with severe cutaneous adverse effects like erythroderma can occur as a consequent to the use of alternative medicines. Squamous cell carcinoma due to chronic heat exposure from the heating device "kangri" is seen in Kashmiris. Prayer nodules in Muslims and traction alopecia in Sikhs illustrate how religious practices can negatively affect the skin. With increasing globalization and migration, the practice of indigenous customs and traditions is no longer limited to regional territories, making it imperative for the dermatologists to be acquainted with the cutaneous side effects they can cause.

Mentions:
Drawstring dermatitis is a type of frictional dermatitis that can result from traditional tightly worn garments like “sari” and “salwaar-kameez”. Sari is worn over a petticoat fastened at the waist with drawstrings. Salwaar is a baggy pant, held up at the waist by drawstrings or an elastic band. The resulting chronic friction at the waist can lead to lichenified grooves, post inflammatory depigmentation/leukoderma [Figure 8] and koebnerization of pre-existing dermatoses like vitiligo [Figure 9] and lichen planus.[89] Chronic friction combined with sweating and humid environment of the tropics predisposes to candida, dermatophytes and bacterial infections [Figure 10].[89] Rarely, squamous cell carcinoma has been reported.[89] Prevention of the condition lies in weight reduction and tying the drawstrings loosely, especially in those inclined to develop koebnerizing conditions.[54]

Mentions:
Drawstring dermatitis is a type of frictional dermatitis that can result from traditional tightly worn garments like “sari” and “salwaar-kameez”. Sari is worn over a petticoat fastened at the waist with drawstrings. Salwaar is a baggy pant, held up at the waist by drawstrings or an elastic band. The resulting chronic friction at the waist can lead to lichenified grooves, post inflammatory depigmentation/leukoderma [Figure 8] and koebnerization of pre-existing dermatoses like vitiligo [Figure 9] and lichen planus.[89] Chronic friction combined with sweating and humid environment of the tropics predisposes to candida, dermatophytes and bacterial infections [Figure 10].[89] Rarely, squamous cell carcinoma has been reported.[89] Prevention of the condition lies in weight reduction and tying the drawstrings loosely, especially in those inclined to develop koebnerizing conditions.[54]

Bottom Line:
Mild irritant reactions and contact sensitization occur secondary to balm and hair oil use. 'Mudichood' represents the comedogenic effect of hair oils combined with occlusion and humidity.Heavy metal and steroid toxicity along with severe cutaneous adverse effects like erythroderma can occur as a consequent to the use of alternative medicines.With increasing globalization and migration, the practice of indigenous customs and traditions is no longer limited to regional territories, making it imperative for the dermatologists to be acquainted with the cutaneous side effects they can cause.

ABSTRACTA wide prevalence of socio-religious and cultural practices in the Asian subcontinent often leads to multitude of skin diseases which may be missed by the dermatologists because of a lack of awareness. 'Henna' use causes IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions and contact dermatitis. 'Kumkum' application can result in pigmented contact dermatitis and lichen planus pigmentosus. Sticker 'bindis' and 'alta' induce contact leukoderma. Irritant and allergic contact dermatitis occurs after playing with 'Holi' colors. Threading and drawstring dermatitis lead to koebnerization of pre-existing dermatoses, infections and even squamous cell carcinoma of skin. Mild irritant reactions and contact sensitization occur secondary to balm and hair oil use. 'Mudichood' represents the comedogenic effect of hair oils combined with occlusion and humidity. Aromatherapy oils can cause contact dermatitis and photosensitive reactions. Heavy metal and steroid toxicity along with severe cutaneous adverse effects like erythroderma can occur as a consequent to the use of alternative medicines. Squamous cell carcinoma due to chronic heat exposure from the heating device "kangri" is seen in Kashmiris. Prayer nodules in Muslims and traction alopecia in Sikhs illustrate how religious practices can negatively affect the skin. With increasing globalization and migration, the practice of indigenous customs and traditions is no longer limited to regional territories, making it imperative for the dermatologists to be acquainted with the cutaneous side effects they can cause.